Central New York Region

The Central New York Region is home to everything unique that characterizes New York State. What does that mean, exactly? From big city lights to small town charm - and everything in between - we encapsulate all that makes New York, well, New York. You'll find it in CNY: Live theatre and entertainment, fascinating museums and halls of fame, historical landmarks, farmers' markets bursting with fresh produce, year round festivals, country style B&Bs, some of the best antiquing and golfing greens in the northeast and trail after trail of boundless nature. The list of what to experience in CNY is limitless, as we truly have it all.

The Central New York Region is made up of eight distinct areas each offering their own individual allure to visitors far and wide: Broome, Chenango, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie. Each area presents their own slice of the "ultimate Americana" that is Central New York.

While the Broome County area, or Greater Binghamton, is best known for its one-of-a-kind antique shops, art galleries, impeccable golfing greens, old fashioned carousels, science centers and fascinating museums, Chenango touts a rural beauty due to the four rivers that run through it and an abundance of wildlife along them. The area is additionally known for its fun annual events like the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and the General Clinton Canoe Regatta. The Herkimer County area, a region rich in history and tradition located at the foothills of the Adirondacks, offers four seasons of outdoor recreation. A big draw for travelers to the area is Old Forge, a cozy town that exudes that laid back, outdoorsy "Adirondack feeling" while simultaneously focusing on family fun with exceptional amusement parks and educational museums.

Well known for its quaint villages, cozy country inns, antique shops, breweries, bed and breakfasts and a rural community full of heritage, the Madison County area offers a taste of everything CNY. Popular landmarks in the area include the International Boxing Hall of Fame, National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum, Stone Quarry Hill Art Park and Lorenzo State Historic Site. Agritourism is at its best in the area at Critz Farms, Golub's Our Farm and Fenner Wind Farm.

As a midpoint between Cooperstown and Saratoga, positioned near Albany, and nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks, Montgomery County has long been the center of some of the most important events in US history. It continues to be a popular destination today, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. Opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, cross-country skiing, ice skating and over 200 miles of snowmobile trails make it an exceptional place to enjoy the great outdoors all year round.

The Oneida County area draws people in during the warmer months for boating, skiing, fishing, swimming and the like on beautiful shores of Oneida Lake, including trips to Sylvan Beach Amusement Park packed with rides, games, shopping and waterfront dining. The stunning Turning Stone Casino & Resort offers endless entertainment from exciting year round gaming, to golf on PGA Tour Courses, to luxurious spa experiences, to an exclusive dance club. Likewise, culture is abundant in the Otsego County area with world class opera, national art exhibitions, theater and concerts, and a rich historical past evident everywhere from hands-on history museums and American Indian art to baseball games. Popular attractions range in theme from art to history to performance centers: Fenimore Art Museum, National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum and Glimmerglass Opera.

Nestled in the Catskills by the Hudson River Valley is the picturesque Schoharie County area. Rich in agricultural heritage and historical significance, Schoharie is brimming with eccentric natural wonders of the world, like prehistoric caves six million years in the making at Howe Caverns and 100-foot underground waterfalls at Secret Caverns. A unique educational adventure lies around every corner in Schoharie, starting with a visit to the museums in the area, including: The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie, Iroquois Indian Museum and The Old Stone Fort Museum Complex.

With the rich culture and colorful heritage upon which our region was founded, and our unique local treasures and attractions, we invite you to come sample all we have to offer. You'll find a wealth of new experiences awaits you with every visit to the Central New York Region.

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A BIT OF HISTORY

Formerly known as the Central Leatherstocking region, in 2010 the New York State Department of Economic Development renamed the seven county area located just south of the Adirondacks, in the central section of the state and anchored by the Erie Canal as the Central New York Region.

Where did the previous "leatherstocking" name come from? It connects directly back to Cooperstown, in Otsego County. James Fenimore Cooper, son of William Cooper, the founding father of Cooperstown, became famous in the literary world for writing the "Leatherstocking Tales." The series of novels, depicting adventures of characters from early settlement times, actually helped to put Cooperstown on the map and drew the first tourists tothe area. The term "leatherstocking" comes from the type of clothing worn throughout the region by frontiersmen - a unique type of leather leggings. Even with the new name - the Central New York Region - the legacy of the Leatherstocking Tales is sure to live on through history.

Traditionally, the region has represented a sort of microcosm of New York State as a whole with its wide mix of experiences and attractions offered, from family-owned farmers markets and country style bed and breakfasts, to live musical shows and theatrical performances at upscale venues and high-end shopping at one-of-a-kind boutiques.

Put simply, no matter what name you call it, you'll be sure to find a little bit of everything New York-esque all in this one central, convenient location.

PHOTOS

Intineraries

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